Sometimes, asking writers what inspires them is like asking people how they got their big toes. They don’t know. The toes just sprouted. Some ideas fly in from outer space. Other ideas pop up if I ask the what-if questions: What if he did that? What if she said that? What I can tell you with some certainty about my middle-grade adventure story Vin and the Dorky Duet is that I wanted to write a quest story, that very old genre describing the exploits of an optimistic adventurer who sets out on an apparently impossible mission. I’m addicted to challenges—which I admit I don’t always meet.
I was trained as a classical pianist and music has always been
my favorite language, a refuge. Vin, my twelve-year-old main character, is learning
to play the trumpet, one of the most difficult musical instruments. So he is
battling with a challenge from the start, long before taking up his sister’s
challenge to befriend a nerdy boy he doesn’t like and introduce his sister to
the nerd’s hunky brother.
As a writer, I’m challenged to encourage reluctant readers to turn a few pages. I’d be thrilled if my books succeed on that level because enthusiasm for reading as a child is critical to success as an adult. I’ve always loved words, so perhaps it’s not surprising I would eventually try stringing a few together. I started out as a nonfiction writer in the business world where inspiration wasn’t an issue. I wrote on whatever topic marketing and public relations demanded. I got the urge to write fiction for children because I’ve always been fascinated by the humor and creative freedom that bubbles out of children’s literature. I hope my stories reflect that exuberance too.
About Maggie:
Maggie Lyons is a writer and editor who was born in Wales
and crossed the pond to Virginia. With no regard for the well-being of her
family and neighbors, she trained as a classical pianist. Then came a career of
putting rear ends on seats—that is, orchestral management, marked by reams of
marketing and fundraising writing and program note scribbling for audiences
whose first priority was usually to find their names in the donors’ lists. Editing
for academic publishers also brought plenty of satisfaction. Maggie admits she has
a fondness for nerds—but nothing like the magic she discovered in writing
fiction and nonfiction for children. Several of her articles, poetry, and a
chapter book miraculously appeared in Stories
for Children Magazine and knowonder! magazine. She hopes her stories encourage
reluctant young readers to turn a page or two.
Her books:
Vin and the Dorky Duet is a middle-grade adventure story available as an e-book at MuseItUp Publishing’s bookstore (MuseItYoung section), on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dpB008AK7ALE , and as a paperback at Halo Publishing International at http://halopublishing.com/bookstore/Maggie-Lyons. Another middle-grade adventure story, Dewi and the Seeds of Doom will be released as an e-book by MuseItUp Publishing in October. Halo Publishing International will release the paperback. More information at: www.maggielyons.yolasite.com, and www.facebook.com/MaggieLyonsChildrensBooks
Vin and the Dorky Duet is a middle-grade adventure story available as an e-book at MuseItUp Publishing’s bookstore (MuseItYoung section), on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dpB008AK7ALE , and as a paperback at Halo Publishing International at http://halopublishing.com/bookstore/Maggie-Lyons. Another middle-grade adventure story, Dewi and the Seeds of Doom will be released as an e-book by MuseItUp Publishing in October. Halo Publishing International will release the paperback. More information at: www.maggielyons.yolasite.com, and www.facebook.com/MaggieLyonsChildrensBooks
Make friends, share the love of reading and be entered to win FREE books! There will be up to 3 winners during this Book Lovers Blog Hop & Giveaway*. All you have to do is enter the giveaway below.
There are many ways you can enter:
1) Promote the Book Lovers Hop and World of Ink Tours on any social network.
2) Tweet it once a day.
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4) Like this blog post.
5) Leave a comment.
Also, don't forget to follow those who have joined in the Book Lovers Blog Hop. By joining the Book Lovers Blog Hop, you are automatically entered in our Book Giveaway!
Join the Hop & Rules:
Follow the Top link of the hop! Hop Host: Families Matters.
Grab the button for the August '12 World of Ink Tour and place it in a post or a side bar.
Grab the button for the August '12 World of Ink Tour and place it in a post or a side bar.
Grab the button for the hop, place it in a post, sidebar or on a blog hop page and make sure to let us know.
Make sure you let us know where it is the comments section below.
**Note: One book per winner
*
Author’s
Name or Pen Name: Maggie Lyons**Note: One book per winner
*
Author
Website: http://www.maggielyons.yolasite.com
Blog
Address: maggie-lyons.blogspot.com
(Note:
review copies will be a PDF as the print book is currently being published.
However, print copies will be available for giveaways) 10 copies available for
giveaway.
About
the book: Magnetic compost heaps, man-eating bubble baths, and other disasters
erupt when an inventive seventh-grader meets a challenge to win a David Beckham
autographed soccer jersey if he can befriend an unsociable nerd and introduce
his sister to the nerd’s hunky brother.
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing a wonderful guest post and hosting Maggie Lyons today on your blog.
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